The “Best Cuban Sandwich in Florida” will be named on May 26 in Ybor City! The Cuban Sandwich Festival honors the region’s favorite culinary delicacy, and celebrates Tampa Bay’s rich Latino history, culture and cuisine.
The free, family-friendly festival features live music and dance performances, arts, crafts, Latino foods and a kids zone with clowns and face painting. Popular Cuban artist Hansel will perform some of his greatest hits, including "Maria Teresa y Danilo."
Special guest Yvonne Yolie Capin, Tampa City Council member, will present a City of Tampa resolution naming the Cuban Sandwich as the official Sandwich of Tampa. The Cuban sandwich represents the Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants who settled in Ybor City for a chance at the American Dream. Originally called the “mixto” in Cuba, it was a combination of leftovers stuffed in between slices of bread. It evolved in Ybor City’s cigar factories in the 1880s into the traditional Cuban Sandwich, which consists of ham, mojo roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed between Cuban bread.
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The “Best Cuban Sandwich in Florida” will be named in traditional and non-traditional categories. Confirmed competitors include: Alessi Bakery, Mata Monchies, Mr. Empanada, La Teresita, Stone Soup Company, Gaspar’s Grotto, Franks & Subs, Cacciatore Brothers, Danny's All American Grill, Cafe Masaryktown (Hernando County), Silver Ring Café, Cuban Guys (Broward County), NY Café (Pinellas County), Ofelia's Café, and the Floridian.
Judges include State Representative Janet Cruz, City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor, City of Tampa Council members Mike Suarez and Harry Cohen, Columbia Restaurant president Richard Gonzmart, Oliva Tobacco Co. president John Oliva, “Daytime” food critic Larry Cotton, Cigar City Magazine founder Lisa Figueredo, Audet Productions founder David Audet, Cynthia Fuente of Arturo Fuente Cigar Company, Col. Evelio “EJ” Otero, Jr. (Ret.), Ybor City Development Corp. manager Vince Pardo, “Tampa Natives Show” host Tampa Steve, HART Board Chair John Melendez, Floridian Partners manager Ana Cruz and Tampa Cigar Club president Pedro Galvez.
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Masters of Ceremonies include La Bahía 1150 AM / 96.1 FM host Carlos Jose Peralta, “Tampa Natives Show” host Mario Nuñez and Hillsborough County Hispanic Affairs Liaison Tony Morejon.
Admission is free and attendees are asked to consider making a donation to help offset the medical costs for Emberlynn Padilla, a six-month-old baby born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. CDH is a life-threatening congenital malformation of the diaphragm that allows the abdominal organs to push into the lung formation.
Sponsors include Latin Times Media, Inc., Tampa Latin Chamber, HART, Ana G. Méndez University System, Solmed Health, Alessi Bakery, Oliva Tobacco Company, Tampa Natives Show, Hispanic Professional Women’s Association, La Bahia Radio WTMP, Cigar City Magazine, Ybor City Development Corp., Clear Channel Outdoor, Gaceta Latina Newspaper, Estrella TV, MOR-TV, This-TV Tampa Bay and V-Me!